San Clemente, Calif. —USA Surfing today announced three important additions to its high-performance leadership team as the organization continues to elevate support for surfers’ development, performance and wellness in and out of the water.

Tracy Axel was named Director of High Performance; Dr. Jeremiah Ray, a Hoag sports medicine specialist, will serve as Chief Medical Officer; and Dr. Warren Kramer, Chief Medical Officer for the World Surf League, joins USA Surfing as Team Physician.

These appointments bring world-class experience and proven results to USA Surfing—the ISA-recognized national federation for surfing on the world stage.

All three leaders have deep roots in high-performance sports medicine and competition support and will now help drive USA Surfing’s next chapter with an integrated approach to performance, sports science, and athlete care. Hoag’s new Health and Wellness Center in San Clemente—headquarters of USA Surfing and home to the LA28 Olympic Surfing venue at Lower Trestles—will play a central role in this evolution.

“Surfers know better than anyone what it takes to succeed, and they’ve been clear about the support they need to feel prepared and confident on the world stage.” said Brett Simpson, USA Surfing board member and surfing’s first Olympic head coach. “Tracy, Dr. Ray, and Dr. Kramer understand what it takes to perform under pressure and are uniquely equipped to support surfers’ full range of performance and wellness needs. With LA28 just around the corner, this team will help us raise the bar.”

“This is a valuable partnership for American surfers,” said USA Surfing CEO Becky Fleischauer. “This team and the partnership with Hoag bring unmatched experience in Olympic sport, elite surfing, sports medicine and performance science and the full spectrum of what surfers need to progress and feel supported—from Prime Series to Podium.”

Dr. Jeremiah Ray and Hoag Sports Medicine: Setting the Gold Standard

As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ray brings decades of experience supporting elite athletes in the NBA,MLB, MLS, NCAA Division I, and multiple U.S. Olympic teams. Additionally, Dr. Ray cared for Los Angeles Chargers players. He’s now part of Hoag’s top-tier sports medicine division.

Dr. Ray recently spearheaded a comprehensive Hoag performance lab for USA Surfing’s ISA WorldJunior Championship team. Over two days, surfers received personalized assessments in VO2 max, rotational strength, mobility, force production, and movement efficiency. Each surfer left with tailored information about their unique mobility and fitness, and customized direction to enhance performance and prevent injury.

“Our mission is to empower athletes with the tools to train smarter and stay healthier longer,”said Dr. Ray. “It’s a privilege to support USA Surfing’s surf athletes with a tailored, responsive level of care that supports progression and peak performances on the world stage.”

Dr. Warren Kramer: Supporting Surfing at the Highest Level

Dr. Kramer, a nationally recognized orthopedic surgeon, brings decades of surf-specific sports medicine care.As Chief Medical Officer for the World Surf League, he has provided expert care to the world’s top professional surfers. Dr. Kramer also served as TeamPhysician for USA Surfing’s inaugural Olympic Surf Team in 2021, supporting Carissa Moore’s historic gold medal run in Tokyo.

“Surfing is a uniquely demanding sport,” said Dr. Kramer. “Supporting surfers means understanding not just the physiology, but the rhythm and realities of life on tour and in competition. I’m honored to continue working with USA Surfing in this exciting chapter. Continuity of care for all of the teams’ surfers at all levels of competition ensures surfers are supported seamlessly and comprehensively.”

Tracy Axel: FromOlympic Support to High Performance Leadership

Tracy Axel has served integral roles providing leadership and high-performance support to both the2021 and 2024 U.S. Olympic Surf Teams with back-to-back gold medal success. She brings deep expertise in a multi-facet approach to surf-specific training, recovery, and injury prevention. She conducted groundbreaking research into performance testing and enhancing outcomes in junior competitive surfers. This research demonstrated the impact of a strength and conditioning program and how elite junior surfers compares with other sports.

“Surfing is at a tipping point,” said Axel. “We’re seeing a new era of performance; progression is developing at a faster rate in USA Surfing’s pipeline and it is paramount to ensure all surfers have the continuity of care throughout their entire careers. I'm honored to lead USA Surfing’s high performance and help our athletes reach new heights—safely, powerfully, and holistically.”

As the Director of High Performance Axel is growing USA Surfing’s network of athletic trainers, physical therapists, coaches, dietitians and sports psychologists who can support USA Surfing’s program and global competitions.

High PerformanceSupport at Lowers

USA Surfing’s 2025 Hoag Championship at Lower Trestles was a powerful showcase of the next generation of talent at the very site of LA28 Olympic Surfing. Hoag’s investment in the event and hands-on care at the comp site provided next-level support for America’s top surf athletes.

With this elite strong team, USA Surfing continues to build the infrastructure, resources, and leadership that American surfers deserve, and the Olympic stage demands.

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